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Lab Technician II (April 2019)

Employer
Washington and Lee University
Location
Lexington, VA

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Administrative Jobs
Academic Affairs, Research Staff & Technicians
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

Lab Technician II (April 2019)

Location:
Lexington, VA
Open Date:
Apr 26, 2019
Description:

The Department of Cognitive & Behavioral Science Lab Technician II supports research and teaching activities related to the department’s technological resources, equipment, and facilities. Responsibilities include oversight of installation and maintenance of software programs and laboratory equipment; logistical support of laboratory-based courses; instruction of undergraduate students in specific technological and laboratory skills; logistical support of faculty research programs, and care and maintenance of animal colonies used in research.

STATUS: Full-Time, 12 Month, With Benefits
WORK HOURS: 8:30-4:30 Monday - Friday with occasional animal care duties on weekends and holidays; On Call for equipment/facility failures and animal care needs
FLSA: Exempt
MINIMUM PAY: $56,863 / annual

Essential and Related Functions:

  • Maintains and supports departmental facilities: Coordinates repair, maintenance, and upgrades of facilities with Facilities Management staff. Coordinates computer purchases/replacements and software implementation and maintenance on computers in teaching spaces with Information Technology Services staff. Develops, maintains, and implements procedures for routine maintenance and calibration of equipment. Oversees service contracts and associated service visits. Assists and oversees the movement of large equipment and occasionally builds and installs new lab equipment.
  • Coordinates care, maintenance, and support of animal colonies utilized in faculty research programs and student research mentorship in accordance with IACUC standards: Handles and cleans cages of rodents, amphibians, and invertebrates. Assists and oversees training of students on IACUC standards of care and animal surgical procedures and tissue preparation.
  • Manages department teaching and research equipment and facilities in a cost-effective manner within a prescribed budget: Inventories equipment, supplies, and materials. Maintains, operates, and supports equipment and instrumentation and installs and supports data acquisition and lab equipment. Evaluates and identifies opportunities for improvement in current equipment, instrumentation, and budget for teaching and research activities. Monitors and orders feeding and bedding materials needed for animal colonies.
  • Assists in the research training mission of the department: Instructs faculty and students in the proper use of equipment, instrumentation, and software. Assists in the development of new experiments, demonstrations, and activities for teaching labs and courses. Assists in the instruction of lectures and laboratories including presenting demonstrations. Is responsible for coordinating experimental setup for teaching labs and assists in setup of experimental and computational research. Assists students managing course projects and helps train students working on independent study projects.
  • Utilizes scientific writing skills: Assists in providing written feedback on student IRB proposals to facilitate IRB approval of student research projects.
  • Supports productive and efficient faculty research programs: Implements, reviews, and oversees the department safety guidelines. Assists faculty with logistics of conducting research. Provides support to new and visiting faculty and coordinates with other academic departments and programs that use department resources.
  • Other related duties as assigned.

Required Competencies:

  • Strategic Thinking - Keeps the University's strategic objectives in mind when developing and contributing to plans and initiatives for own work group. Is able to explain the link between team goals and the University's strategic direction to work group. Makes informed decisions based on a clear understanding of the impact and consequences involved. Considers key financial factors (e.g., budget, revenue, resources) when making decisions.
  • Change Adaptability - Stays focused on own work and responsibilities in a changing work environment. Is able to quickly reprioritize to ensure resources (e.g., work group members, systems, tools, etc.) are in place to achieve change objectives. Responds positively and is supportive of change initiatives.
  • Communication and Networking - Articulates thoughts clearly and is able to offer logical arguments to gain acceptance of an idea in a positive manner. Consistently communicates to work group and/or supervisor ensuring that everybody is well informed. Proactively builds informal networks at own level and uses them to drive results within own work group.
  • Drive for Results - Seeks to identify specific improvements or opportunities to combine duplicate efforts to increase efficiency. Takes personal responsibility for seeing tasks and assignments through to completion. Sets high standards for work/deadlines and demonstrates a drive to deliver quality work within the allotted time.
  • Self Development and Motivating Others - Establishes productive working relationships by actively participating in meetings and activities. Listens carefully, encourages and accepts other points of view. Seeks work group input and encourages their participation and involvement. Stays informed on events, trends and other developments in own field of work (e.g., regulations, policies, standards and practices).

Qualifications:

B.A. or B.S. and relevant experience in a behavioral science laboratory setting (direct experience in a psychology lab is preferred). Experience with statistical software packages (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R) and experimental design software (e.g., E-prime) strongly preferred. Experience in managing facilities and equipment, including assessing repairs and maintenance of equipment. Basic carpentry and machining skills. Ability to care for and handle captive rodents or willingness to obtain these skills.

Heavy workload requires the incumbent to be detail-oriented, have the ability to multi-task, and possess strong organizational skills. Must be a self-starter and have the ability to work independently, as well as to communicate and interact effectively in a professional, confidential, and courteous manner with faculty, staff and students. Should be able to work with frequent interruptions and manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines.

Physical Requirements:

  • Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
  • Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
  • Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
  • Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
  • Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.
  • Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
  • Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
  • Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
  • Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
  • Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
  • Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
  • Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.

Working Conditions:

  • The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.
  • The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases or poor ventilation.
  • Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Application Instructions:

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.

Organization

About W&L
Washington and Lee University is a nationally ranked, private liberal arts institution located in
Lexington, Virginia. W&L integrates the rigorous inquiry and critical thinking of a liberal arts
curriculum with nationally accredited undergraduate programs in business and journalism, and
a graduate School of Law. Our academic units are strengthened by meaningful collaborations,
all in the service of the university’s mission.
With an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1,860, our small size enables students to
find mentors and develop personal relationships across campus. W&L is committed to
institutional citizenship. We regard liberal arts education as an important public good, of value
not only to our students and alumni, but also to the larger communities in which we live.
Our Mission
W&L provides a liberal arts education that develops students’ capacity to think freely, critically,
and humanely and to conduct themselves with honor, integrity, and civility. Graduates will be
prepared for lifelong learning, personal achievement, responsible leadership, service to others,
and engaged citizenship in a global and diverse society.
Our Community
W&L is the ninth-oldest institution of higher education in the U.S. and is located in the scenic
Shenandoah Valley. We are a modern university located on a beautiful and historically
significant campus.
Our most valuable asset is the quality of our vibrant and welcoming community. Our faculty are
devoted teachers and scholars who uphold the highest academic standards and take a personal
interest in the lives of their students. Our staff takes pride in knowing that each individual
makes important contributions to the success of the university. Our alumni are extraordinarily
loyal and generous to their alma mater.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion affirms that diverse perspectives and
backgrounds enhance our community. The university is committed to the recruitment,
enrichment, and retention of faculty and staff who embody many experiences, cultures, points
of view, interests, and identities.

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